Henkel, Izzo square off in Niceville City Council race

Published: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 06:02 PM.

NICEVILLE — City Councilman Daniel Henkel and challenger Armand Izzo will face off Tuesday in the city’s only contested election race this year.

City Clerk Dan Doucet said he expects less than 10 percent of Niceville’s 9,600 registered voters to turn out.

“We typically have about 1,200 ballots printed, just in case,” he said. “I’m hoping for a good turnout, but you never really know.”

Voters can cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Niceville City Hall.

Henkel is an Air Force retiree who works as a program manager for a foreign military sales program, according to the city’s website. He has served on the council since 2008.

Henkel said he wants to continue to make Niceville a good place to raise a family. He also plans to focus on controlling growth and the cost of city services.

“I want to make sure that as Niceville continues to grow we take care of our infrastructure,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re able to not hurt those people on fixed incomes.”

Henkel said he wants to help Niceville “move forward smartly.”

Izzo, a systems engineer and senior program manager for defense contractor Tasc Inc., has lived in Niceville for nine years. He said he began thinking about public service when he graduated in May from the Leadership Okaloosa program sponsored by Northwest Florida State College and local chambers of commerce.

He said he wants to help the city focus on “adequate growth coupled with adequate public services.”

He said it’s critical that city officials work to balance growth and the infrastructure needed to support it.

“I want to be that person to ask those questions,” said Izzo, who added that he would be an accessible councilman. “I want absolutely to be available to (residents).”

NICEVILLE — City Councilman Daniel Henkel and challenger Armand Izzo will face off Tuesday in the city’s only contested election race this year.

City Clerk Dan Doucet said he expects less than 10 percent of Niceville’s 9,600 registered voters to turn out.

“We typically have about 1,200 ballots printed, just in case,” he said. “I’m hoping for a good turnout, but you never really know.”

Voters can cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Niceville City Hall.

Henkel is an Air Force retiree who works as a program manager for a foreign military sales program, according to the city’s website. He has served on the council since 2008.

Henkel said he wants to continue to make Niceville a good place to raise a family. He also plans to focus on controlling growth and the cost of city services.

“I want to make sure that as Niceville continues to grow we take care of our infrastructure,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re able to not hurt those people on fixed incomes.”

Henkel said he wants to help Niceville “move forward smartly.”

Izzo, a systems engineer and senior program manager for defense contractor Tasc Inc., has lived in Niceville for nine years. He said he began thinking about public service when he graduated in May from the Leadership Okaloosa program sponsored by Northwest Florida State College and local chambers of commerce.

He said he wants to help the city focus on “adequate growth coupled with adequate public services.”

He said it’s critical that city officials work to balance growth and the infrastructure needed to support it.

“I want to be that person to ask those questions,” said Izzo, who added that he would be an accessible councilman. “I want absolutely to be available to (residents).”